Portable article containing table construction

ABSTRACT

The table includes a central table section and a pair of lateral table sections pivotally secured to the central table section along its opposite sides. The central table section has a depending support panel. Lateral table supports are hingedly secured to the opposite sides of the central support panel for swinging movement between positions underlying and supporting the lateral table sections when the latter lie in coplanar relation with the central table sections, and a position parallel to and overlying the central panel. The outer ends of the lateral table supports hingedly mount terminal supports for movement between positions angularly related to the lateral supports and underlying the table sections and a position substantially coplanar with the lateral support. The central panel, lateral supports and terminal supports each have a plurality of openings which, when the lateral and terminal supports lie generally parallel to the central panel, lie in registry one with the other to define a plurality of cavities for receiving and storing articles. The table sections are foldable into overlying relation on opposite sides of the lateral and terminal supports when folded over the central panel to define end closure members for the cavities. When folded, the table sections and supports define a carrying case. Handles are provided on the central panel whereby the table and its contents are portable in the form of a carrying case. The table is set up by swinging the table sections outwardly into coplanar relation with the central table section and pivoting the lateral and terminal supports away from the central panel into underlying and supporting engagement with the table sections.

United States Patent [191 Ganteaume v PORTABLE ARTICLE CONTAINING TABLECONSTRUCTION [76] Inventor: Harry Ganteaume, Hacienda San Pablo, TurmeroEdo. Aragua, Venezuela [22] Filed: Mar. 26, 1973 [21] Appl. No.2 344,627

[52] US. Cl 108/38, 312/241, 312/244 [51] Int. Cl. A47b 3/00, A47b 85/00[58] Field of Search 108/41, 89, 88, 38, 79,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,661,258 12/1953 Dinken108/79 X 3,139,281 6/1964 Nicholson 108/38 X 3,201,186 8/1965 Noonan etal. 108/44 X 3,208,807 9/1965 Becker 312/241 X 3,271,091 9/1966 Henry108/25 X 3,308,773 3/1967 Long 108/79 3,520,259 7/1970 Sanchez 108/79Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam Attorney, Agent, or FirmLeBlanc & Shur[57] ABSTRACT The table includes a central table section and a pair oflateral table sections pivotally secured to the central table sectionalong its opposite sides. The central table Nov. 26, 1974 section has adepending support panel. Lateral table supports are hingedly secured tothe opposite sides of the central support panel for swinging movementbetween positions underlying and supporting the lateral table sectionswhen the latter lie in coplanar relation with the central tablesections, and a position parallel to and overlying the central panel.The outer ends of the lateral table supports hingedly mount terminalsupports for movement between positions angularly related to the lateralsupports and underlying the table sections and a position substantiallycoplanar with the lateral support. The central panel, lateral supportsand terminal supports each have a plurality of openings which, when thelateral and terminal supports lie generally parallel to the centralpanel, lie in registry one with the other to define a plurality ofcavities for receiving and storing articles. The table sections arefoldable into overlying relation on opposite sides of the lateral andterminal supports when folded over the central panel to define endclosure members for the cavities. When folded, the table sections andsupports 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures The present invention relates to aportable article containing table construction and particularly relatesto a portable table construction which can be set up as a table andknocked down, collapsed, or folded to form a carrying case in whicharticles may be stored.

A number of tables which can be folded or knocked down to form acarrying case with articles contained within the case for use inconjunction with the table have been proposed and constructed in thepast. One such construction is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,693,258wherein a pair of table sections are hingedly secured to a central tabletop part, the sections being foldable towards one another whereby acarrying case is provided. The table legs are hinged to the undersidesof the table sections for movement between table supporting and storedpositions. The table legs are also receivable through open ends of thetable sections thereby forming a handle for the table when knocked downas a carrying case. Various devices for securing articles such asutensils, cups, plates, and the like, are secured to the underside ofthis table. In US. Pat. No. 2,31 1,798, there is disclosed a foldingtable formed of a plurality of sections hinged one to the other suchthat when they are unfolded they form a table configuration. Variousdevices are provided on the undersides of the table sections for holdingutensils, plates, and the like. These tables, however, appear unwieldy,difficult to set up and knock down, readily and easily distorted orbroken thereby shortening their useful life, and generally unacceptablefrom practical and economic standpoints.

Moreover, none of the foregoing or other table constructions known toapplicant have optimized the functions of the various table parts inboth configurations thereof, i.e., when set up as a table or knockeddown as a carrying case. For example, none of these prior tables haveutilized the support members for the table for the dual purpose ofsupporting the table as well as defining cavities or recesses in whicharticles can be received and stored when the table is knocked down toform a carrying case. By employing the support members ofa table in theforegoing manner, as more particularly described hereinafter, the needfor ancillary devices for securing articles for storage within the tablesections is eliminated. Also, the openings in the table support memberscan be configured to complement the shape of specific articles, wherebywhen the table forms a carrying case, the articles can be stored in anorderly and effective manner and without movement thereof relative tothe case. Furthermore, the table support members when unfolded providean aesthetically pleasing appearance as a result of the variouslyarranged and configured openings through the support members.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a porta-- cured to thecentral table section. The central table section has a dependingsupport. Lateral table supports are hingedly secured on opposite sidesof the central support. The outer extremity of each lateral tablesupport also hingedly carries a terminal table support.

v When the table is set up, central and lateral table sections lie incoplanar relation and thereby define a substantially continuous tablesurface. The lateral supports are hinged outwardly away from the centralsupport on opposite sides thereof and underlie and support therespective lateral table sections. The terminal supports are hinged awayfrom the lateral supports and lie in an outermost position generallyparallel to the central sup port and underlying and supporting the outerextremities of the table sections. To fold the table construction forportability, the terminal supports are pivoted into planes containingthe respective lateral supports whereby the terminal and lateralsupports lie in coplanar relation on opposite sides of the centralsupport. The lateral and terminal supports are then pivoted to overliethe central support on opposite sides thereof whereby the supports liein generally parallel relation with one another. In pivoting the lateraland terminal supports parallel to the central support, they are alsodisplaced from supporting engagement below the lateral table sections.The table sections are thus free for pivotal movement into positionsoverlying and generally parallelling the lateral and terminal supports.The table is thus in a knocked-down condition and in the configurationof a carrying case.

For receiving and storing articles to be carried within the tableconstruction when it is knocked down and forms a carrying case, thecentral, lateral and terminal supports are provided with a plurality ofopenings. Respective openings in each support register with likeconfigured and located openings in each other support when the table isknocked down. In this manner, a plurality of cavities are defined by theregistering openings of the central, lateral, and terminal supports. Thecavities have a depth equal to the sum of the widths or thicknesses ofsuch supports. The table sections provide end closures on opposite sidesof each cavity when the table sections are knocked down parallel to thesupports. Any shape of opening can be provided as desired dependent uponthe shape of the articles to be stored. Also, when the table is set up,the openings through the lateral, central and terminal supports formaesthetically pleasing designs enhancing the overall appearance of thetable.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea novel and improved portable article containing table construction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved portable article containing table construction wherein articlescan be received and stored within the table supports when the tableconstruction and its supports are knocked down and form a carrying case.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved portable article containing table construction whereinopenings are provided in each table support with the openingscooperating one with the other to define article receiving cavities whenthe table construction is knocked down and forms a carrying case.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved portable article containing table construction wherein thetable is readily set up and knocked down.

It is a still further object of the present invention to I provide anovel and improved portable article containing table construction whichis not only functional as a table with the additional capacity toconfine and store articles, when knocked down, but which is alsoaestethically pleasing in appearance when set up as a table.

FIG.- 2 is a perspective view of the table construction hereofillustrated in a knocked down configuration wherein the table forms acarrying case for ancillary articles;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table construction hereofillustrating one of the table sections pivoted to uncover cavitieswithin the carrying case for carrying and storing the articles.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the table construction viewed from itsunderside;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views thereof taken about on lines 5-5and 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the table construction hereofillustrated in a partially set up condition or a condition wherein onlyone-half of the table is to be utilized; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the table construction hereofwith its parts illustrated in exploded juxtaposition showing itsassembly and the registration of the various cavity forming openingsthrough the table supports.

Referring now the the drawings, and particularly to FIG. I, there isillustrated a portable article containing table construction or unit 10set up for use as a table.

Table construction 10 includes a central table section 12 and a pair oflateral table sections 14 and I6 hingedly secured on respective oppositesides of central table section 12. Preferably, and as illustrated inFIG. 4, piano type hinges 18 disposed on the underside of the table areutilized to secure the lateral table sections to the central tablesection. When the lateral sections 14 and 16 are pivoted to the positionillustrated in FIG. 1, the table sections l2, l4 and 16 define asubstantially continuous upper table surface 20.

A central support or panel 22 depends from the central table section 12at right angles thereto. The lower edge of central support 22 has a pairof outer legs 26 and a centrally disposed leg 28 separated by a pair ofrecesses or indentations 24. A slot 30 is provided through the centrallydisposed leg 28 and provides a handle for the table unit when knockeddown to form a carrying case as more particularly described hereinafter.The upper lateral margins 32 of central support 22 are enlarged anddefine slots 34 along opposite sides thereof. Slots 34 also serve ashandles for the table unit when knocked down to form a carrying case.

posite sides and outboard thereof for supporting table sections 14 and16 respectively. More particularly, lateral table support 36 is pivotedto one side of central support 22 by, for example, piano type hinges 37for pivotal movement about an axis normal to the axis of hinges l8 andbetween a position in a plane generally parallel to the plane containingcentral support 22 and a position swung outwardly therefrom underlyingand supporting table section 14 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Lateral tablesupport 38 is pivoted to the opposite edge of central support 22 by, forexample, piano type hinges 39 for pivotal movement about an axisgenerally normal to the axis of hinges 18 and between a position in aplane parallel to the plane containing central support 22 and a positionswung outwardly therefrom underlying and supporting the plane containingtable section 16 as illustrated in FIG. 4. As best illustrated in FIG. 8table support 14 is recessed along its bottom edge to define a pair ofsupport legs 40 and 42. Table support 16 is similarly recessed along itslower edge to define a pair of support legs 44 and 46. For reasons whichwill be appreciated from the ensuing description, the lateral tablesupports 14 and 16 are coextensive in width with the central support 22,the laterally enlarged portions 32 on opposite sides of central support22 projecting beyond the lateral edges of the lateral supports. Theinner faces of lateral supports 36 and 38 are inset adja cent theoutermost portions thereof at 48 and 50, respectively. For reasons whichwill be appreciated hereinafter, the thicker portions of the lateraltable supports 36 and 38, when hinged to overlie central support 22 haveouter faces which lie substantially in alignment with the opposite sidesof table section 12.

Terminal table supports 52 and 54 are hinged to the outer ends of thelateral table supports 36 and 38, respectively, by, for example,piano-type hinges designated S3 and 55. Terminal support 52 is recessedalong its lower edge to define a pair of legs 56 and 58, while terminalsupport 54 is also recessed along its lower edge to define a pair oflegs 60 and 62. The terminal supports are formed to a thickness suchthat, when pivoted inwardly about their hinge axes, they may lie withinthe recesses formed by the inset faces 48 and 50 along the innersurfaces of the lateral table supports. The combined thickness of eachterminal support and the outboard portion of the associated lateralsupport is preferably equal to or at least no greater than the thicknessof the inner portion of the lateral support whereby the terminal andlateral supports are coplanar when folded or arranged as illustrated inFIG. 5.

Stops 64 and 66 are carried along the underside of the table sections 14and 16, respectively, and adjacent diagonally disposed corners thereof.Generally U- shaped catches 68 and 70 are also carried along theunderside of table sections 14 and 16, respectively, in

spaced, generally transverse, alignment with respective stops 64 and 66.

Before detailing the manner in which the table is set up and knockeddown to form a carrying case, it will be appreciated that the variousparts of the table unit 10 described above can be manufactured of avariety of materials. For example, the various table sections andsupports may be formed of plastic, wood, aluminum, fiberglass, syntheticwoods, plywood, cardboard, or any combination of such materials,although plastic is the preferred form for reasons of strength anddurability.

In FIGS. 1 and 4, table unit is illustrated set up as a table. In thisposition, table sections 12, 14 and 16 lie in a common plane and definethe continuous table surface 20. The lateral supports 36 and 38 arepivoted outwardly into underlying supporting engagement with the tablesections 14 and 16, respectively. Particularly, the lateral supports 36and 38 are swung outwardly whereby their remote ends engage stops 64 and66, respectively on the undersides of table sections 14 and 16. Terminalsupports 52 and 54 are also pivoted away from the respective lateralsupports 36 and 38 such that the upper edge or upper corner of eachterminal sup port is received within the associated slot defined by theU-shaped catches 68 and 70. Consequently, it will be appreciated thattable unit 10 is supported by the various legs of the central, lateral,and terminal supports when unfolded to form a table as illustrated inFIG. 1.

To collapse the table unit into a carrying case, for example asillustrated in FIG. 2, the terminal supports 52 and 54 are pivoted tolie within recesses 48 and 50, respectively, and coplanar with therespective lateral supports 36 and 38. The lateral supports 36 and 38and the terminal supports respectively carried thereby are then pivotedto overlie the central support 22 on opposite sides thereof. That is,the lateral and terminal supports on respective opposite sides ofcentral support 22 are pivoted into planes generally parallel to theplane containing the central support 22. In this manner table sections14 and 16 are able to pivot into positions overlying the outer faces ofthe lateral supports. As illustrated in FIG. 5, suitable fasteners 72are provided along the underside of the table sections whereby tablesections 14 and 16 are secured one to the other with the central support22, the lateral supports 36 and 38, and terminal supports 52 and 54confined therebetween.

It will be appreciated that when the terminal and lateral supports liein planes parallel to the plane containing central support 22, the legs40 and 42 of lateral support 36 and the legs 44 and 46 of lateralsupport 38 lie in respective registry with the legs 26 and 27 of centralsupport 22. Also, the leg 58 of terminal support 52 lies in registrywith legs 42 and 44 of lateral supports 36 and 38 respectively and withleg 26 of central support 22. Likewise, the leg 60 of terminal support52 lies in registry with legs 40 and 46 of lateral supports 36 and 38respectively and with leg 27 of central support 22. When the lateral andterminal supports overlie central support 22, legs 56 and 62 of terminalrespective supports 52 and 54 lie in registry with opposite sides of thecentral leg 28 of central support 22 opposite respective ends of theslot 30 through leg 28. In this manner, the handle defined by slot 30remains exposed as illustrated in FIG. 3 whereby the case can be readilygripped. The handles 34 are also exposed along opposite sides of thecase. Thus, the handles provide a ready means for carrying the tableunit in its folded position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Itis a significant feature of the present invention that articles can bereceived and stored within the table unit when knocked down to form acarrying case. as illustrated in FIG. 2. To accomplish this, the lateraland terminal supports as well as the central support are provided with aplurality of openings each of which in part defines a portion of acavity or chamber for receiving an article when the table unit isknocked down and folded as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Particularly,and

referring now to FIG. 8, several different groups of openings areprovided in the central panel and lateral supports. For example, twogenerally rectangular openings c and 82c are provided in diagonallyopposite corners of central support 22. A pair of circular openings 84cand 860 are provided in the upper lefthand corner of support 22. Anoblong opening 880 is pro vided along the upper side of support 22between circular openings 84c, 86c, and rectangular opening 800. A setof five circular openings designated c are formed in the lower righthand corner of support 22. Similarly configured and arranged openingsare provided in each of the lateral support members 36 and 38respectively. For example, rectangular openings 80s and 82s; circularopenings 84s and 865; an oblong opening 88:; and a set of five circularopenings 90s are located in lateral support panel 36 at like locationsas openings 80c, 82c, 84c, 86c, 88c, and 900, respectively, are arrangedin the central support 22. Likewise, similar openings are provided inlateral support panel 38. For example, rectangular openings 80s and 82s;circular openings 84s and 86s; an oblong opening 88s; and a set of fivecircular openings 90s are arranged in lateral support 38 similarly asthe openings 80c, 82c, 84c, 86c, 88c, and 906 are arranged in centralsupport 22.

It will be appreciated that the inset portions 48 and 50 of the lateralsupports as well as the terminal supports 52 and 54 are laterally offsetone from the other in the folded position of the table unit. Eachterminal support has openings configured and arranged similarly as theopenings in the reduced width portion of its associated lateral supportare configured and arranged. For example, the terminal support 52 isprovided with a rectangular opening 80! along its upper side, and a setof five circular openings 90! along its lower side, these rectangularand circular openings being arranged and configured as the correspondingopenings 80c and 90(- in central support 22. Likewise, the terminalsupport 54 has a pair of circular openings 84! and 861, and an oblongopening 881 through its upper side and a rectangular opening 82! throughits lower side, the openings being arranged and configured similarly asthe openings 84c, 86c and 82c, respectively, are arranged and configuredin central support 22. Thus, it will be appreciated that when thelateral and terminal supports overlie the central support 22 on oppositesides thereof, openings of like configuration and location in therespective supports lie in registry one with the other. For example, therectangular openings 80s, 80t, 800, and 80s lie in registry one with theother. Likewise, the oblong openings 88s, 88c, 88! and 88s lie inregistry one with the other.

It will be appreciated that these registering openings define aplurality of cavities or chambers corresponding in depth at any onelocation to the combined thicknesses of the lateral and central supportsand the corresponding one of the terminal supports. These cavities arespecifically illustrated in FIG. 3. Thus, where the table unit isadapted as a childs toy, utensils, dishes, cups, and the like can beinserted into the cavities defined by these registering openings. Theopenings can be shaped as desired and in conformance to the shape of thearticles to be carried by the case. Note that in the folded position,the table sections 14 and 16 form end closure members for the cavitieson opposite sides thereof whereby articles are retained within thecavities. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the openmay, ifdesired, extend through one or two of the supports with another supportforming the end closure on one side of the cavities.

The table unit can, of course, be formed in different sizes and theopenings configured to receive articles for different uses. For example,the table can be used as a gaming table for card playing and theopenings can be configured to receive various decks of cards and otherarticles incident to various types of card games. The table may also beemployed as a camping table or for use by hunters with the openingsbeing configured to house equipment ancillary to such use.

Also, the table unit need not be fully unfolded. That is, the table unitcan be set up as illustrated in FIG. 7, with only half of the table unitforming the table. Various indicia may be utilized to differentiate oneside of the table unit from its other side when knocked down to form acase. For example concentric circles 100 and a full circle 102 provided,for example by decals, on the table surface portions of table sections14 and 16 respectively identify the orientation of the case and itscontents. This is important since it is often desirable that thearticles disposed within the table unit can be retrieved from one sideof the case.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being.indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. A portable collapsible table construction for containing articleswhen collapsed comprising: a central table section, a pair of lateraltable sections secured to said central table section on respectiveopposite sides thereof for pitoval movement about generally parallelaxes between first positions wherein said lateral and central tablesections lie in a substantially common plane one with the other todefine a substantially continuous co-planar table surface and secondpositions wherein said lateral table sections lie in spaced generallyparallel planes extending generally normal to a plane containing saidcentral table section, a central support carried by said central tablesection for supporting said table when said lateral table sections liein said first positions thereof and lying in a plane generally parallelto and between the planes containing said lateral table sections'when intheir second positions, a pair of lateral table supports pivotallyconnected to said central support for pivotal movement about axesgenerally normal to said parallel axes, said lateral table support beingpivotal between first positions underlying and supporting the lateraltable sections when said lateral table sections lie in their firstpositions and second positions in planes generally parallel to andbetween the planes containing the lateral table sections when the latterlie in their second positions, a pair of terminal supports respectivelypivotally secured to said lateral table supports adjacent the edgesthereof remote from the pivotal connections between the lateral tablesupports and the central support, said terminal supports being pivotalrelative to'said lateral table supports between first positionsunderlying and supporting said lateral table sections when the lateraltable sections lie in their first positions and second positions lyingin planes generally parallel to and between the planes containing saidtable sections when the latter lie in their second positions, each ofsaid lateral table supports, said central support and said terminalsupports having a plurality of openings therethrough in respectiveregistration one with the other when said lateral table supports andsaid terminal supports lie in their second positions to define aplurality of discrete chambers having a depth substantially equal to thecombined thicknesses of said lateral, terminal and central supports forreceiving and storing articles, said lateral table sections constitutingin part end closure members for said chambers when the lateral tablesections lie in their second positions, and means for releasablysecuring said lateral table sections in their second positions with saidlateral table supports, said terminal supports, and said centralsupportdisposed therebetween and in generally parallel planes therewith.

2. A construction according to claim 1 wherein the openings through saidlateral, terminal and central supports which register one with the otherwhen said lateral and terminal supports lie in their respective secondpositions on each of the opposite sides of said central support havelike peripheral configurations, the nonregistering openings through saidlateral, central and terminal supports having unlike peripheralconfigurations whereby articles of different shapes can becomplementarily received in said chambers.

3. A construction according to claim 2 wherein said terminal supports intheir first positions lie generally parallel to said central support andsubstantially normal to said lateral table sections, andmeans engageablebetween said terminal supports and said lateral table sections forreleasably retaining said terminal supports in their first positions.

4. A construction according to claim 1 wherein said terminal supportsare shorter in length than said lateral supports, said lateral supportshaving recessed face portions for receiving said terminal supports, thelateral support and terminal support on one side'of said central supportlying in a common plane and the lateral support and terminal support onthe other side of said central support lying in another common planewhen said lateral and terminal supports lie in their second positions,the chambers opening through the lateral, central and terminal supportsbeing bounded by the margins of said lateral, central and terminalsupports defining the openings therethrough substantially throughout thedepth of the chambers.

5. A construction according to claim 1 wherein said lateral supports arepivotally secured to said central support along opposite edges thereof,said terminal supports lying laterally offset from and misaligned withone another when said lateral and terminal supports lie in their secondpositions.

6. A construction according to claim 1 including a handle formed on oneof said central and lateral sup- .ports for carrying the table when saidtable sections,

lateral supports and terminal supports lie in their second positions.

7. A construction according to claim 1 including indicia carried by saidlateral table sections for differentiating the opposite sides of saidconstruction when said lateral and terminal supports and said lateraltable sections lie in said second position.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIGN Patent No.3,850,114 Dated November 26, 1974 Inventor (s) Harry Ganteaume It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 3, line 39, "the the" should read --to the- Col. 5, line 14, "68and 70" should read --68 or 70.--.

Signed and sealed this 11th day of March 1975;

(SEAL) Attest: a

C MARSHALL DANN 4 v RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer and Trademarks

1. A portable collapsible table construction for containing articleswhen collapsed comprising: a central table section, a pair of lateraltable sections secured to said central table section on respectiveopposite sides thereof for pitoval movement about generally parallelaxes between first positions wherein said lateral and central tablesections lie in a substantially common plane one with the other todefine a substantially continuous co-planar table surface and secondpositions wherein said lateral table sections lie in spaced generallyparallel planes extending generally normal to a plane containing saidcentral table section, a central support carried by said central tablesection for supporting said table when said lateral table sections liein said first positions thereof and lying in a plane generally parallelto and between the planes containing said lateral table sections when intheir second positions, a pair of lateral table supports pivotallyconnected to said central support for pivotal movement about axesgenerally normal to said parallel axes, said lateral table support beingpivotal between first positions underlying and supporting the lateraltable sections when said lateral table sections lie in their firstpositions and second positions in planes generally parallel to andbetween the planes containing the lateral table sections when the latterlie in their second positions, a pair of terminal supports respectivelypivotally secured to said lateral table supports adjacent the edgesthereof remote from the pivotal connections between the lateral tablesupports and the central support, said terminal supports being pivotalrelative to said lateral table supports between first positionsunderlying and supporting said lateral table sections when the lateraltable sections lie in their first positions and second positions lyingin planes generally parallel to and between the planes containing saidtable sections when the latter lie in their second positions, each ofsaid lateral table supports, said central support and said terminalsupports having a plurality of openings therethrough in respectiveregistration one with the other when said lateral table supports andsaid terminal supports lie in their second positions to define aplurality of discrete chambers having a depth substantially equal to thecombined thicknesses of said lateral, terminal and central supports forreceiving aNd storing articles, said lateral table sections constitutingin part end closure members for said chambers when the lateral tablesections lie in their second positions, and means for releasablysecuring said lateral table sections in their second positions with saidlateral table supports, said terminal supports, and said central supportdisposed therebetween and in generally parallel planes therewith.
 2. Aconstruction according to claim 1 wherein the openings through saidlateral, terminal and central supports which register one with the otherwhen said lateral and terminal supports lie in their respective secondpositions on each of the opposite sides of said central support havelike peripheral configurations, the non-registering openings throughsaid lateral, central and terminal supports having unlike peripheralconfigurations whereby articles of different shapes can becomplementarily received in said chambers.
 3. A construction accordingto claim 2 wherein said terminal supports in their first positions liegenerally parallel to said central support and substantially normal tosaid lateral table sections, and means engageable between said terminalsupports and said lateral table sections for releasably retaining saidterminal supports in their first positions.
 4. A construction accordingto claim 1 wherein said terminal supports are shorter in length thansaid lateral supports, said lateral supports having recessed faceportions for receiving said terminal supports, the lateral support andterminal support on one side of said central support lying in a commonplane and the lateral support and terminal support on the other side ofsaid central support lying in another common plane when said lateral andterminal supports lie in their second positions, the chambers openingthrough the lateral, central and terminal supports being bounded by themargins of said lateral, central and terminal supports defining theopenings therethrough substantially throughout the depth of thechambers.
 5. A construction according to claim 1 wherein said lateralsupports are pivotally secured to said central support along oppositeedges thereof, said terminal supports lying laterally offset from andmisaligned with one another when said lateral and terminal supports liein their second positions.
 6. A construction according to claim 1including a handle formed on one of said central and lateral supportsfor carrying the table when said table sections, lateral supports andterminal supports lie in their second positions.
 7. A constructionaccording to claim 1 including indicia carried by said lateral tablesections for differentiating the opposite sides of said constructionwhen said lateral and terminal supports and said lateral table sectionslie in said second position.